Addressing widespread rumors of a SARS resurgence, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone 2) Olohundare Jimoh has reaffirmed that the disbanded unit remains permanently dissolved. Speaking on the matter, Jimoh dismissed claims of operatives being covertly regrouped, insisting the squad no longer exists in any capacity within the police structure.
Footage of police altercations with civilians has flooded social media following the recent extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State. While public outrage continues to mount, Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Olohundare Jimoh contends that many of the videos currently resurfacing are outdated clips from over five years ago, being circulated out of context.
“We learned from EndSARS,” AIG Jimoh stated during a Friday interview on Sunrise Daily, insisting that the police have moved on from the controversial unit. He flatly denied rumors that SARS was merely rebranded, explaining that former members weren’t fired but were reintegrated into the force as “general duty officers.”
According to the AIG, the squad has been scrubbed from the books, and its personnel are now serving in regular police formations across the country.
Jimoh further highlighted that the unit’s dissolution was followed by a total overhaul, featuring rigorous retraining programs conducted in partnership with international human rights watchdogs to ensure a fundamental shift in policing.
“A lot of internal human rights organisations, including the Red Cross international, and others even participated in ensuring that we reshape the behaviour of all these personnel.
“While I was CP Lagos, the Red Cross was in my office to ensure that those people who were rehabilitated in terms of performing their duty and ensuring that they continue to respect human rights and dignity and their behaviour is in contact with members of the public, conform with the international best practices, so they were very debriefed”.
Addressing the recent wave of viral clips showing officer misconduct, Jimoh clarified that—with the exception of the Delta State incident, the majority of the videos are “extremely old.”
He noted that footage from as far back as six years is being resurfaced and mislabeled as current events. Despite this, he revealed that the Inspector-General of Police has commissioned a high-level committee to scrutinize all trending videos and identify any genuine recent abuses.
“If there is any recent case among them, those responsible will be identified and dealt with appropriately in line with the law,” he said.
”Think before you post.” AIG Jimoh has called on citizens to act as responsible digital citizens by shunning fake news. Highlighting the dangers of viral misinformation, the AIG noted that unverified reports don’t just damage the police’s reputation—they pose a real threat to the country’s stability.
“We want people to know that if you are helping the police force, then you are helping Nigeria. Whatever you put out should be based on facts,” the official stated.
AIG Jimoh further appealed to the public to verify the authenticity of videos and reports before hitting ‘share,’ emphasizing that the police force has no intention of concealing genuine misconduct.“We urge citizens to cross-check information before forwarding it to others,” he stated.
“While many viral clips are currently circulating, a significant number date back five to six years. However, we are not sweeping any current issues under the carpet.”
